Cabinet construction



Sept. 12, 1939. J. w. JENSEN CABINET CONSTRUCTION Filed A 5, 1957 2Sheets-Sheet 1 #1 M W w. W P r I f T m w w M E M g u L W m raw :2

I ATTORNEY.

Sept. 12, 1939. J. w. J ENSEN 2,172,614

CABINET CONS TRUCTIO N Filed Aug. 5, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. IJae ofz (U Jzzsen BY ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 32, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE tric HouseholdUtilities Corporation, Chicago,

111., a corporation of Illinois Application August 5, 1937, Serial No.157,473

Claims.

The present invention relates to cabinet constructions of the typeincluding a table-like support on which an instrument or a like unit ismounted, and more particularly to means asso- 6 ciated with the supportfor enclosing the instrument or'unit.

Closure means, or covers of the general character to which thisinvention relates, have heretofore generally been formed as invertedbox-like struc- 0 tures, of minimum height, and having a flat top,

adapted to serve as an auxiliary supporting surface when the apparatusis of the type used in the home. In practically all instances suchclosures or covers have heretofore been formed as a unitary element, andin most instances its dimensions are of such size as to render itdimcult to handle, particularly in cases where such types of closuresare bodily removed from the table-like support. In some forms ofapparatus of this general class, the closure means is associated withthe support in a manner to permit pivotal movement thereof; permittingswinging to and from operative position relatively to the table-likesupport. In many of such constructions, however, the closure means, whenremoved to expose the instrument or like unit, is compelled to occupy aspace immediately rearwardly of the support, or at one end thereof.Obviously, when such apparatus are normally positioned in closeproximity to a wall, it is first necessary to pull them away from thewall a sufiicient distance to provide adequate clearance foraccommodating the closure means. Moreover, the provision of suitablemeans connecting the closure means and the support for controlling themovement of closure means from one position to another, materially addsto the cost of fabrication.

One of the objects of the present invention resides in the provision ofa novel and improved form of a closure means, of the characterindicated, which obviates the foregoing objections, and which may bequickly and conveniently handled for exposing or enclosing theinstrument or like unit on the table support.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved closure meansof the character indicated, wherein said closure means is composed of aplurality of independently movable bodies, and wherein at least one ofsaid bodies is constructed so that when removed from normal closingposition, it may be disposed in association with the table-like supportin a manner to constitute a shelf or extension thereof.

55 A u t i ra ses s the P v sion or a closure of the characterindicated, comprising a plurality of independently movable bodiescharacterized by the provision of interengaging features between one ormore of said bodies, and the table-like support, for positioning saidbodies for 5 enclosing the instrument or like unit, or for sup portingone or more of said bodies in association with the table-like support ina manner to constitute a shelf or extension thereof.

Other objects and advantages of this invention 10 will be apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table-like supportand closure means constituting the present 16 invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 showing the closure meansassociated with the table-like support in a manner to constituteshelvesor extensions thereof.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the independently movable bodiesof the closure means, shown positioned on a floor, remote from thetable-like support.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view 25 taken substantiallyas indicated at line 44 on Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken as indicated online 5-5 'on Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional 30 view through the planeof abutment of the closure bodies, taken as indicated at line 6-6 onFig. 1.

Fig. 7 is an end view looking into the interior of one of the bodies ofthe closure means.

Fig. 8 is a bottom view looking into the interior of one of said bodiesof the closure means.

For purposes of illustration, I have herein shown the present inventionin connection with a table-like structure having mounted thereon an 40ironing machine of the character usually employed in the home. It willbe apparent, however, that the present invention is capable of adaptionto various other apparatus including an instrument or a like unitmounted on a table- 45 like support.

In the drawings the table-like support is shown as of generallyrectangular shape, formed of sheet metal and including a top l0 and endsupports, herein shown, formed as panels II, the vertical edges of whichare bent angularly for purpose of reinforcement, and serving thefunction of leg members. The entire marginal edge of said top is formedwith a depending reinforcing flange or shirt I0 overlying and secured tosaid end panels, 58

as seen in the drawings. Secured adjacent to the lower portion of eachend panel is a horizontally disposed reinforcing member l2, the rearwardends of which are connected to and reinforced by a tie member l3.Secured in the corners, formed by the angularly bent portions of therespective end panels, are brackets ll constituting sockets forconventional caster wheels indicated at l5. Mounted on the support topIII, as seen in the drawings, is a conventional ironing machinemechanism, designated generally at A, the dimensions of which are suchas to lie within the marginal edges of the top Ill.

The means for enclosing the ironer unit, as above mentioned, preferablyis formed to present a flat top to constitute an auxiliary supportingsurface, and in the structure embodying this invention, the closuremeans includes two cooperating inverted box-like bodies [1 and I8,formed of sheet metal, which are disposed in abutting relation, as seenin Figs. 1 and 6. For convenience and economy in manufacture, theseboxlike bodies are substantially identical in construction with theexception that of one of the bodies as indicated at I! is provided withan encompassing band l9, rigidly united thereto, surrounding andextending beyond its open end, which is disclosed in abutting relationto the corresponding end of the body IS. The band l9 may be formed ofornamental contour, preferably plated, to enhance the appearance. Theextension of the band l8 beyond the marginal edge constituting the openend of closure body l1, permits telescoping of the corresponding end ofthe adjacent body l8 thereinto, as seen in Fig. 6, and also serves topreclude lateral displacement of one body relatively to the other, inthe general direction of the plane of abutment of said bodies.

In order that the open ends of these closure bodies may be suflicientlystrong so that the entire top of the closure may effectively serve tosupport objects, said abutting open ends of the bodies are eachreinforced by folding marginal portions inwardly to form flangeportions, 28, across the top and the sides of said bodies; said flangesbeing disposed in spaced apart relation to the panels of the body toform pockets. Rigidly secured in each of said pockets is a leg of areinforcing member 2| of angular cross-section. the other leg of whichextends at substantially right angles to the top and sides of the body.The portions of said last mentioned legs, at their juncture between thetop and sides of the body, are increased in width to serve as gussetplates. The lower marginal portions of the sides and ends of said bodiesare also folded in a similar manner to form flanges 22 which are engagedand reinforced by a member 23, similar to member 2|.

The lower marginal edge of each of said bodies is provided with a stripof padding or resilient material, as indicated at 25, such as of rubber,which, as herein shown in the drawings, is formed with a U-shaped slotfor frictionally securing it tosaid lower edge of the body. Similarstrips 26, of resilient material, are secured to the inwardly extendinglegs of the reinforcing member 23, as seen in Fig. 8. These resilientstrips 25 and 26 are adapted to seat upon and embrace the marginal edgesof the top III of the table like structure, as seen in Fig. 4, and serveto prevent possible damage table top, which may be enamel, paint or anyother suitable finish. Said resilient strips further serve to eliminatenoise incident to the placing of the closure bodies in position on thetab to the finish of said top. Particularly in connectionwith ironingmachines, it is usually desirable to have auxiliary supporting surfacesin addition to the table top for supporting fabric to be ironed orfabrics that have been ironed, or for supporting devices used inconnection with the ironing operation, such as a sponge, pan of water,or a spraying device. By virtue of the present invention, the closuremeans is formed so that it may be handled conveniently in sections, andeach section or-body may be placed upon the floor, if desired, adjacentthe ironing machine, as seen in Fig. 3, to serve the purpose ofconvenient auxiliary support for articles.

If desired, either or both of said bodies may be utilized in directassociation with the tablelke structure to constitute end shelves orextensions of the table top [0. For this purpose the respective bodiesI! and I8, and the table top In are provided with interengagingfeatures, comprising a projection 28 adjacent the lower edge of the endpanel of each of the closure bodies, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5. Saidprojection is formed with a reduced shank 28, the end of which protrudesthrough the respective reinforcing flange 22 and the leg of thereinforcing member 23, and is riveted thereto, as indicated at 30. Theprojections 28 are adapted to enter aligned apertures l0", formed in thetop In of the tablelike structure, adj acent the respective endsthereof. For convenience, the projections 28 are each formed with adepending off-set shoulder 3|, which as seen in Fig. 4 is adapted tonormally extend below the lower edge of the aperture Ill of the tabletop to preclude removal or separation of the closure bodies by a directend-wise pull. The bodies l1 and I8 may be separately removed by slightrearward upward movement at the outer ends thereof, so as to raise theshoulder of the projection above the edge of the aperture, and then bydirect rearward movement, the body may be freely removed from the top ofthe table Hi. When it is desired to employ either or both of thesebodies as shelves, or extensions, at the ends of the table top lo, thebodies are merely inverted to the position seen in Fig. 2, and theprojections 28 are inserted into the apertures Ill so that the end panelof each body is supported and disposed in a horizontal planesubstantially parallel to the top l0, and constituting an extensionthereof, as seen in Figs. 2 and 5. In this position of the bodies, theresilient padding or strips 25 embrace the marginal end portions of thetop l8, and the vertical front and back flanges of the end panels H, andthus said resilient strips serve to protect the finish, such asenamelled surfaces, of said end panel against possible injury ordefacement.

It will be apparent that due to the small size of the respective bodiesor sections, the matter of lifting them'for proper positioning, eitherfor enclosing the unit, or for utilization as extension shelves, or asseparate supporting devices when placed on the floor, requiresrelatively little effort. This construction also has the decidedadvantage in that it does not necessitate any appreciable movement ofthe apparatus away from a wall or other objects in the removal of theclosure means for exposing the instrument or like unit for use. Inrelatively small quarters this is a decided advantage.

Although I have herein shown and described a particular embodiment of myinvention, manifestly it is capable of modification and rearrangementwithout departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not,therefore, wish to be understood as limiting this invention to theprecise embodiment herein shown and described, except as it may be solimited in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a table-like structure and an instrument or likeunit mounted thereon; of bodily removable means adapted to be seated onsaid table-like structure for enclosing said instrument, andinterengaging features on said table-like structure and said closuremeans for maintaining the latter in proper position on the former, saidinterengaging features being formed for detachably supporting theclosure means adjacent one edge of the table-like structure in aposition to constitute a'shelf or extension.

2- The combination with a table-like structure and an instrument or likeunit mounted thereon; of bodily removable means adapted to be seated onthe table-like structure for enclosing the instrument, said means beingof generally rectangular box-like form, composed of a plurality ofindependently movable bodies adapted to be disposed in end-to-endabutting relation, and interengaging features on said table-like supportand one of said bodies adapted to maintain the latter in position on theformer, said interengagconstitute a shelf or extension.

3. The combination with a table-like structure and an instrument or likeunit mounted thereon; of bodily removable means adapted to be seated onthe table-like structure for enclosing the instrument, said means beingof generally rectangular box-like form, composed of a plurality ofindependently movable bodies adapted to be disposed in end-to-endabutting relation, and interengaging features on said table-like supportand one of said bodies adapted to maintain the latter in position on theformer, said interengaging features including a projection extendinginwardly from the lower portion of the outer end of said body, when inenclosing position, engageable in an aperture formed in the adjacentmarginal edge of the table-like support, for supporting said bodyadjacent the support to constitute a shelf or extension.

4. The combination with a table-like structure and an instrument or likeunit mounted thereon; of bodily removable means adapted to be seated onthe table-like structure for enclosing the instrument, said means beingof generally rectangular box-like form, composed of a plurality ofindependently movable bodies adapted to be disposed in end-to-endabutting relation, resilient pad means secured to the lower edge of oneof said bodies when it is in enclosing position for seating upon thetable-like support, said body being formed for detachable securement inoverlapped relation to and adjacent one edge of the support toconstitute a shelf or extension, with the resilient pad means seatedagainst the support.

5. The combination with a table-like structure and an instrument or likeunit mounted thereon; of bodily removable means adapted to be seated onthe table-like structure for enclosing the instrument, said means beingof generally rectangular box-like form, composed of a plurality ofindependently movable bodies adapted to be disposed in end-to-endabutting relation, and interengaging features on said table-like supportand one of said bodies adapted to maintain the lattq in position on theformer, said interengaging features being formed for supporting said onebody adjacent one edge of the support to constitute a shelf orextension, said features including a projection on the body, adjacentits lower edge, and an aligned aperture at a corresponding edge of thesupport.

JOSEPH W. JENSEN.

